Syntaxiom

precariousness

/pɹiˈkɛɹiəsnəs/ noun

A state of being uncertain or unstable.

Word Origin From Latin precarius, meaning 'obtained by begging' — literally, something held only by the grace of another's prayer. That's why precariousness is that shaky, uncertain state: you're depending on someone else's 'yes.' The same root prex 'prayer' gives us deprecate (to pray against, to disapprove) and imprecation (a curse, a prayer for harm). The PIE root *prek- 'to ask' connects it to prayer itself.

noun A state of being uncertain or unstable. countable

The precariousness of the cliffside path made hikers proceed with extreme caution.

(名词) 不稳定性；不确定性；危险状态

悬崖小径的不稳定性让徒步者极其谨慎地前行。

(sustantivo) Un estado de ser incierto o inestable.

La precariedad del sendero al borde del acantilado hizo que los excursionistas avanzaran con extrema precaución.

(nom) précarité; instabilité; fragilité [État de ce qui est incertain, instable ou fragile.]

La précarité du sentier en bord de falaise obligeait les randonneurs à la plus grande prudence.

(Substantiv) Unsicherheit; Instabilität; Gefährlichkeit [der Zustand, in dem etwas unsicher, instabil oder gefährdet ist]

Die **precariousness** des Pfads am Klippenrand veranlasste die Wanderer zu äußerster Vorsicht.

(名詞) 不確実または不安定な状態。

崖に沿った道の不安定さ（危うさ）によって、登山者たちは極めて慎重に歩みを進めた。

(substantivo) precariedade; instabilidade; insegurança [Um estado de incerteza ou instabilidade.]

A precariedade do caminho à beira do penhasco fez os caminhantes prosseguirem com extremo cuidado.

Synonyms: instability uncertainty insecurity vulnerability riskiness unreliability shakiness unsteadiness Antonyms: stability certainty security steadiness
Word parts: precarious + ness

Related words

precariously deprecate deprecation imprecation prayer

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